John: It is permissible and even advisable to execute criminals convicted of brutal murders. After all, a publicized execution can serve to deter heinous crimes and thus minimize suffering in the long run. Capital punishment is a kind of societal self-defense.

Mary: You are ignoring the prior issue of whether a state or society has the right to take anyone’s life. If there is no such right. then, the issue of whether capital punishment deters crime is irrelevant.

If it were determined that capital punishment does not serve to deter crime. John’s and Mary’s positions would be affected in which of the following ways?

Neither John’s nor Mary’s position would be affected.

Both John’s and Mary’s positions would be weakened.

Mary’s position would be strengthened but John’s position would not be affected.

John’s position would be weakened but Mary’s position would not be affected,

John’s position would be weakened and Mary’s position would be strengthened.